Confused about whether you need a full payment gateway or just payment links?
You’re not alone.
If you’re building an online business, you’ve probably come across these two terms:
✅ Payment Gateway — the system that integrates with your website or app to process payments.
✅ Payment Links — simple links you can send via WhatsApp, SMS, or email to collect payments.
Both help you get paid online, but they work differently — and each has its perfect use case.
So let’s break it down in simple language so you can decide what fits your business best.
What exactly is a payment gateway?
A payment gateway for your website is like a secure digital cashier.
It:
Accepts UPI, wallets, cards, net banking, EMI
Authenticates & encrypts sensitive data
Transfers money to your merchant account
It’s fully embedded into your checkout page. Customers add products to a cart, click “Pay Now,” and pay right on your site.
Platforms like Indiplex make this super easy by giving you ready plugins for WordPress, Shopify, or simple APIs for custom websites.
And what is a payment link?
A payment link is even simpler.
You just generate a unique URL from your payment dashboard and share it with your customer on WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, SMS, or email.
✅ The customer clicks the link.
✅ It takes them to a secure checkout page.
✅ They pay.
✅ You get the money.
Platforms like Indiplex let you create these links in seconds, customize the amount, and even track if they’ve been paid — all without needing a full website.
When should you use a payment gateway on your website?
Go for a full payment gateway integration if:
✅ You have an e-commerce store where customers browse products & check out directly.
✅ You want to offer multiple payment options (UPI, cards, wallets, EMI) right on your site.
✅ You care about advanced features like subscriptions, cart recovery, or custom checkout designs.
It’s the best long-term solution if your website is your main sales channel.
When are payment links the better choice?
Use payment links if:
✅ You sell primarily on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp.
✅ You offer services like coaching, freelancing, or workshops where every invoice is different.
✅ You want to collect payments before building a full-fledged e-commerce website.
Payment links help you start collecting payments immediately, without worrying about cart systems or website design.
What if you want the best of both worlds?
That’s where modern platforms like Indiplex shine.
They give you:
✅ Full payment gateway integration for your website checkout, plus
✅ Easy payment links & payment buttons that you can use on social media, email, or even offline invoices.
So whether you’re just starting out or already running a busy e-commerce store, you have the flexibility to grow without switching platforms later.
A quick side-by-side comparison
Feature Payment Gateway Payment Link
Checkout on your own website ✅ ???? (redirects to hosted page)
Needs developer/web integration ✅ ???? (just generate link)
Great for e-commerce carts ✅ ????
Ideal for social selling ???? ✅
Custom amounts/invoices ???? ✅
Can use both together ✅ ✅
✅ Bottom line: Choose what fits your business today
If you’re launching a full online store, a payment gateway for your website is the way to go.
If you’re testing your idea, selling on Instagram, or invoicing clients, payment links are a quick win.
Best part? Platforms like Indiplex let you do both — so you never outgrow your payment solution.